Live fish carrier Fisktrans sank in Norwegian Sea off Bodo

The live fish carrier Fisktrans sank in Norwegian Sea off Bodo, Norway. The vessel suffered steering gear failure in stormy weather and heavy seas, remain adrift near the Norwegian coast. Fisktrans adrifted to shallow waters, where dropped anchor, but started getting water ingress from the aft. The six crew sent distress signal to the local authorities and abandoned the live fish carrier. The seamen jumped into the water, all wearing immersion suits. The people were airlifted from Coast Guard helicopter, all in good health and without serious injuries. The local authorities and shipowner are negotiating the salvage of the vessel, but currently operation is not started.

The investigation for the root cause of the accident is under way. According to preliminary information, the ship suffered breaches after contacting with the rocks in the shallow. The aft was submerged, but fore peak remain partially afloat. There is no report for oil leak and water pollution, but vessel is under monitoring due to bunkering oil on board.

The live fish carrier Fisktrans (IMO: 5248255) has overall length of 74.00 m, moulded beam of 9.00 m and maximum draft of 6.50 m. The gross tonnage of the vessel is 969 GRT. The ship was built in 1952 by Mjellem and Karlsen Verft in Bergen, Norway. The owner and operator of live fish carrier Fisktrans is Nordvesttrans.